This is the birth certificate of my father. He was originally born in Kangwondo but moved at a young age to Seoul. My Grandpa moved to Seoul in search for a better life.
This is a primary source because the document shows my father’s movement from Kangwondo to Seoul.
It is significant because the birth certificate shows that my family lived in Kangwondo in the past but moved to Seoul. That was part of the movement in South Korea where people from other cities all flocked to Seoul to be a part of the economic boom. (1948-1990) South Korea is really unique in the sense that Seoul is the most developed city in Korea. In other countries there are multiple centers; Japan and America have multiple centers, but South Korea is heavily focused on Seoul. Seoul became the economic power source for Korea.
In the early 1960s, Korea’s economy developed very quickly in decades which would have took centuries for other countries. The agricultural society transformed into an industrialized society allowing many citizens to start a new life. Seoul attracted many people who wanted to rebuild the poor economy after the Korean War. Seoul and Gyueonggi Province employed approximately 48 percent of the nation’s 2.1 million factory workers. Since many people moved to cities with manufacturing industries, the income of many rural areas based on agriculture decreased causing the government to raise the farm income.
This is the photo of my grandfather’s iron factory that he purchased when he moved to Seoul. His interests lied in the manufacturing industries rather than agriculture.
This is a primary source because the photo shows that my grandfather owned an iron factory which contributed in the economic boom.
It is significant because the heavy metal factories played a huge role on the economic boom of Korea. During this time it was common for people to move to Seoul and build heavy metal and textile factories.
Korea did not have the infrastructure to extract the natural resources after the Japanese Occupation. Heavy metal industries utilized heavy metal and used it to develop economically. Iron and textile factories contributed a lot in raising the poor economy of Korea.
Interview
This is an interview of my father talk about his movement from Kangwondo to Seoul and the economic boom that occurred during his childhood.
This is a secondary source because my dad was 2 years old when he moved to Seoul and he does not remember much about what had happened in the past. My father listened to stories from my grandfather about the history of my family.
It is significant because the interview shows my family’s opinion about the movement to Kangwondo to Seoul and the changes that occurred in Seoul during the economic boom.
After moving from Kangwondo to Seoul my dad learned about the changes from my grandfather. The economy quickly rose with the help of manufacturing industries including iron and textile factories. Many people flocked to Seoul and contributed in raising the poor economy of Korea because Seoul was the only developed city at that time.
Family History Timeline (10 Events)
My Grandpa’s Birth March 27, 1930 My Grandpa was the 3rd child but his father passed away when he was young.
The Korean War Jun 25, 1950 My Grandpa took part in the Korean War. And he overcame many hardships along the way. His hand even got injured from a bullet.
My family moving from Kangwondo to Seoul 1967 My Family moved from Kangwondo to Seoul to become part of the economic boom.
Marriage February 23, 1994 My mom and dad met from the help of my grandpa’s friend.
My Brother Born in America Jun 17, 1995 My Father was getting a PhD in America at that time so my brother was born in America.
My Birth Mar 3, 1997 I was born in a hospital in Korea. I was born a month earlier than my predicted birth time so I was rather small when I was born.
My 6 Months in New Jersey 2000 I visited my aunt in New Jersey and stayed their for 6 months.
My 2 Years in Canada 2003 My mom, brother, and I went Canada for two years so that me and my brother can learn English comfortably.
Attending Korean School 2005 I attended a Korean School after coming back from Canada which was hard to adjust into. In Canada, I did not study Korean that much so I built up my Korean in my one year in Korean School.
Attending KIS 2006 - Present When the Pangyo Campus was built, I transferred to KIS in 4th grade. I have been attending KIS ever since then.
Document
Artifact
Interview
Family History Timeline (10 Events)
My Grandpa’s Birth
March 27, 1930
My Grandpa was the 3rd child but his father passed away when he was young.
The Korean War
Jun 25, 1950
My Grandpa took part in the Korean War. And he overcame many hardships along the way. His hand even got injured from a bullet.
My family moving from Kangwondo to Seoul
1967
My Family moved from Kangwondo to Seoul to become part of the economic boom.
Marriage
February 23, 1994
My mom and dad met from the help of my grandpa’s friend.
My Brother Born in America
Jun 17, 1995
My Father was getting a PhD in America at that time so my brother was born in America.
My Birth
Mar 3, 1997
I was born in a hospital in Korea. I was born a month earlier than my predicted birth time so I was rather small when I was born.
My 6 Months in New Jersey
2000
I visited my aunt in New Jersey and stayed their for 6 months.
My 2 Years in Canada
2003
My mom, brother, and I went Canada for two years so that me and my brother can learn English comfortably.
Attending Korean School
2005
I attended a Korean School after coming back from Canada which was hard to adjust into. In Canada, I did not study Korean that much so I built up my Korean in my one year in Korean School.
Attending KIS
2006 - Present
When the Pangyo Campus was built, I transferred to KIS in 4th grade. I have been attending KIS ever since then.